Configurable cup holder

ABSTRACT

A beverages holder, comprising a disposable cup ( 200 ) for containing the beverage and a carrier ( 100 ) for enabling a user to carry or support the cup, the holder being configurable in at least two of:  
     a first configuration in which a portion ( 5,12 ) of the carrier ( 100 ) supports a base ( 201 ) of the cup;  
     a second configuration in which the cup ( 200 ) is suspended beneath part ( 5,12 ) of the carrier; and  
     a third configration in which the carrier ( 100 ) provides a band around the cup ( 200 ).

This invention relates to a holder comprising a cup or receptacle and acarrier for the cup or receptacle and also to such a carrier and a blankor flat for forming such a carrier. In particular, but not exclusively,this invention relates to a holder wherein the receptacle is a cup forvendable goods such as goods purchased from a retail or consumer storeor outlet, for example, goods such as hot beverages, snacks and so on.

Conventionally hot beverages are supplied to consumers in a disposablecardboard, polystyrene or plastics cup. Such cups can be difficult forthe consumer to carry, especially when they contain a hot beverage.

Some venders of hot beverages provide the consumer with a paper napkinto wrap around the cup so as to protect the consumer's fingers. However,although a paper napkin may protect the consumer's fingers, it can alsomake the cup more difficult to hold securely and the paper napkin mayeasily be displaced or dropped.

Other venders package the hot beverage containing cup in a rectangularcarrier bag which may be made from paper, card or plastic, for example.Such carrier bags only enable transportation of the hot beveragecontaining cup and the cup has to be removed from the carrier bag toenable the hot beverage to be consumed. Furthermore, the bases of suchbags do not provide a stable standing area for the hot beveragecontaining cup because they tend to be soft and flexible. This meansthat there is a likelihood of spillage of hot liquid from the cup.

Other venders provide outer sleeves which consist of an endless band ofcorrugated card, recycled paper stuff or similar material that issupplied in a flattened form and opened out by the vendor or consumer soas to enable the hot beverage containing cup to be placed within thesleeve. Such sleeves do serve to protect the consumer's fingers andassist the consumer in carrying the cup. They do, however, also transmitheat.

Each of the above described prior arrangements provides only one way ofcarrying the cup or receptacle.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a holder comprising a cupor receptacle and a carrier for the cup or receptacle, the holder beingcapable of adopting at least one or more of the following:

-   -   a first configuration in which a base of the cup or receptacle        is supported by a portion of the carrier;    -   a second configuration in which the cup or receptacle is        suspended beneath a portion of the carrier, for example the cup        may extend through an aperture provided by the carrier; and    -   a third configuration in which the carrier provides a loop or        band extending around the circumference of the cup.

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a cup orreceptacle carrier which is convertible between a flat strip or flatpack configuration for storage and transportation and athree-dimensional shape in which the carrier partially or fully enclosesthe cup or receptacle.

In one aspect of the present invention a cup or receptacle carrierprovides a handle for enabling a user to hold the cup or receptaclewithout necessarily touching the side or wall of the cup or receptacle.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a carrier formed from aflat sheet or blank having edge portions and fold lines for enabling thesheet or blank to be formed into an endless or continuous loop having athree-dimensional shape. In an embodiment, the endless or continuousloop is formed without the aid of gluing enabling cheap manufacture.

As used herein, the term “fold-lines” includes any line about which thematerial forming the flat sheet or blank can be folded including, forexample, seam lines or weakened or perforated areas.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cup carrier, comprisingan endless loop or band wherein part of the endless loop or bandprovides an aperture defining portion for receiving a cup or receptacle.The aperture defining portion may comprise an actual aperture, slits,perforations or a push out section. In an embodiment, the carrierprovides a handle opposed to the aperture defining portion.

In one aspect the present invention provides a holder comprising a cupand a carrier for the cup, wherein the holder can adopt:

-   -   a first configuration in which a base of the cup is supported by        a portion of the carrier;    -   a second configuration in which the cup is suspended beneath a        part of the carrier; and    -   a third configuration in which the carrier surrounds a        peripheral side wall of the cup, wherein the carrier provides a        handle graspable by a user in at least one of the above        configurations, preferably in both said second and third        configurations.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a carrier formed from aflat or blank wherein the flat or blank defines at least one handleportion which projects from an edge of the flat or blank or is definedwithin the body of the flat or blank. A double thickness handle can beprovided to provide increased strength by providing two handle portionswhich can be grasped simultaneously by the user in use of the carrier.The handle portions may be provided at, for example, opposite edges of aflat or blank forming the carrier. The flat or blank may be formed withcoupling means in addition to the handle. In an embodiment, the couplingmeans may cooperate with the handle.

In an embodiment, a cup carrier comprises a flat or blank havingopposite edge portions, a handle portion and a handle receiving portion,whereby, when the flat or blank is manipulated to bring the two edgeportions together, the handle can be passed through the handle receivingportion so as to form the carrier. The flat or blank may be formed withfold lines to facilitate manipulation of the flat or blank to form thecarrier. The fold lines may be such that the carrier adopts arectangular or polygonal cross sectional shapes. An additional lockingtab may be provided on at least one end portion.

In one aspect the present invention provides a holder comprising a cupor receptacle and a carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a flat orblank having a cup or receptacle receiving region and wherein, in orderto use the holder, the cup or receptacle is placed on the receiving areaand the flat or blank manipulated to bring edge portions of the blanktogether above the cup or receptacle to define a handle graspable by auser. In an embodiment, the receiving region comprises an aperturedefining region so that the cup or receptacle is suspended from thecarrier when the carrier is transported by a user. Generally, the sidewalls of the cup or receptacle will be gripped by the aperture by takingadvantage of the fact that such cups or receptacles taper towards theirbases. This provides a gimbal like support reducing the possibility ofspillage even if the carrier swings as the user moves about. Such acarrier may be inverted so that, when the cup or receptacle is receivedthrough the aperture, a portion of the carrier provides a support forthe base of the cup or receptacle and the region of the carrier boundedthe aperture surrounds the peripheral side walls of the cup orreceptacle. Where a handle or handle portion is provided on the carrier,then this will lie flat against the carrier in this configuration.

A carrier embodying the invention may be provided with a moulded plastichandle or a carrying cord in place of a handle for facilitating carryingand may be placed in a conventional paper carrier bag.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cup carrier comprising aflat or blank having fastening or coupling means provided on oppositeend portions of the flat or blank the fastening means being arranged tocouple together to define the carrier, one of the fastening meanscomprising a tab and the other a slit or slot for receiving the tab.Additional cooperating tabs and slots may be provided.

A carrier embodying the invention may be provided with other forms offastening or coupling means such as self-adhesive areas or regions orother forms of interlocking or coupling means.

A carrier embodying the invention need not necessarily be provided withcoupling means, for example the carrier may be initially formed (forexample moulded) as an endless band or loop.

A carrier embodying the invention may be provided with handle portionsthat a user squeezes together to define an endless loop. One of thehandle portions may be provided with a locking flap to lock the handleportions together.

A carrier embodying the invention may be formed from a flat or blankhaving regions projecting from the main area of the flat or blank todefine side walls of the carrier in use.

Generally, a carrier embodying the invention will enable at least partof a cup or receptacle carried by the carrier to be viewed.

A carrier embodying the invention is adapted to be provided as a flat ortwo-dimensional shape and to be manipulated to provide athree-dimensional carrier by the vendor or purchaser of the goodscontained in the cup or receptacle to be received the carrier.

A holder embodying the invention capable of adopting the first andsecond configurations mentioned above may be sized so as to enable aplurality of cups or receptacles to be received by the carrier. In sucha case, the carrier may be provided with a corresponding number of cupor receptacle receiving portions which may be of the same or differentsizes or shape to enable different shapes and sizes of cup or receptacleto be accommodated, for example both a cup containing a beverage and asandwich or other take away food container.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a flat or blank for forming a carrierin accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing, respectively, two differentforms of a carrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 to 6 are perspective views showing three differentconfigurations of a holder embodying the present invention comprising acarrier formed from the blank shown in FIG. 1 and a cup or receptacle;

FIGS. 7 to 29 shows various different modified forms of the flat orblank shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 30 to 35 show flats or blanks suitable for forming carriers forcarrying 2, 3, 4, 3, 3 and 4, respectively, cups or receptacles; and

FIG. 36 shows another flat or blank for forming a carrier.

Referring now to the drawings FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of acarrier or container 100 in accordance with the present invention.

The carrier is in the form of a blank or flat which may be formed from,for example, a single sheet of card or paper which may be plain orcorrugated. Other materials which hold their shape when folded or formedinto an endless band or loop may be used such as, for example, syntheticrubber such as neoprene, rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials such asrigid polyolefins, for example polypropylenes or polyvinylchloride (PVC)and other semi-rigid plastic materials. Leather or reinforced orstiffened cloth may also be used. Where card, paper, cardboard or otherrelatively non-waterproof material is used, then these may be coatedwith a synthetic or other water resistant coating to improve wear.Decorative, advertising or informative printing may be applied to theblank and other decorating techniques such as inscribing, foiling orembossing may be used.

Generally a large number of blanks will be cut from a single sheet ofthe material using conventional cutting procedures.

As shown in FIG. 1, the blank is generally rectangular and has first andsecond elongate side edges 2 and 15 and relatively shorter end or edgeportions 1 and 14.

A cup or receptacle receiving region is provided generally equi-distantfrom the edge portions 1 and 14. In this embodiment, the cup receivingregion 8 is defined by a central circular aperture 8 a, a largerconcentric circular fold line 8 b and a plurality of slits 8 c providedin the region between the circular aperture 8 a and the circular foldline 8 b. The slits 8 c radiate outwardly from the common centre of thecircular aperture 8 a and the circular fold line 8 b and are equallyangularly spaced about the periphery of the circular fold line 8 b.

The end portion 1 is shaped so as to provide a handle portion 1 a whichis, in this embodiment, a generally D or U shaped handle portion. Theother end portion 14 is rounded or curved and a slit 13 is providedadjacent the end portion 14 for receiving the handle portion la. In thisembodiment, the end portions 1 and 14 also carry coupling means in theform of a tab 16 arranged to be received in a slit 17. As shown, theslit 17 is provided at the end portion 1 in from the handle portion 1 awhile the tab 16 is provided in the end portion 14 closer to the end ofthe end portion than the slit 13. The tab is defined during the blankcutting process so that the majority of the periphery of the tab isseparated from the remainder of the end portion but so that the tabremains attached to the remainder of the blank and can be pivoted orbent out of the plane of the blank.

The blank is also formed with four fold lines, 4, 6, 10 and 11 whichseparate the blank into a first portion 3, a second portion 5, a thirdportion 7, a fourth portion 9 and a fifth portion 12. As shown, the foldlines extend perpendicularly of the side edges 2 and 15.

The carrier is intended to enable a user or consumer to carry or supporta cup or receptacle containing goods obtained or purchased from asupplier. In particular, the carrier is primarily intended for enablinga consumer to carry or support a disposable; generally cardboard orplastics, cup containing a hot beverage such as tea or coffee.

As will be explained below, the carrier 100 can be used with a cup orreceptacle to define a number of different holder configurations. Ineach of these configurations, the blank is formed into an endless loopby folding the blank about the fold lines 4, 6, 10 and 11, passing thehandle 1 a through the slit 13 and passing the tab 16 through this slit17.

Various configurations of holder using the carrier 100 will now beillustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 2 shows the carrier 100 formed into an endless band so that the cupreceiving region 8 is uppermost and the handle portion 1 a is positionedflat against the fifth portion 12. In this orientation, the first andfifth portions 3 and 12 form a base of the carrier while the second andfourth portion 5 and 9 form side walls of the carrier and the thirdportion 7 forms a top of the carrier. The base of the carrier may besupported in the hand of a user or on a support surface such as a table,work top or desk. FIG. 5 shows a first configuration of a holder inaccordance with the present invention wherein a cup 200 (shown in dottedline) is placed in the circular aperture 8 a so that a base 201 (notvisible in FIG. 5) of the cup is supported on the base formed by thefirst and fifth portions 3 and 12 of the carrier 100. In thisconfiguration, the carrier ensures that the cup 200 is held upright.This configuration is particularly advantageous for supporting the cupon a support surface in a moving vehicle such as a train or boat andalso for supporting the cup on a desk, table or work top to reduce thelikelihood of the cup being knocked over spilling hot liquid on to thesurrounding surface.

FIG. 4 shows a second configuration for the holder. In thisconfiguration, the orientation of the carrier 100 is inverted so thatthe first and fifth portions 3 and 12 form a top and the third portion 7forms a base of the carrier. In this configuration, the cup 200 is, byvirtue of its tapering shape gripped by the slitted portion of thecarrier so as to be suspended. In order to adopt this holderconfiguration, the cup 200 is first placed within the aperture 8 a andthen the end portions 1 and 14 of the carrier are brought together todefine the endless loop or band. In this configuration a user orconsumer can carry the holder by the handle portion 1 a of the carrier100 securely without having to touch the walls of the cup 200 which mayhave become hot due to the hot liquid within the cup. This holderconfiguration also provides a gimbal like effect so that the carrier canbe swung without spillage from the cup. This reduces the possibility ofspillage of the cup when user is walking or otherwise moving aroundholding the carrier or the cup is being held by the user in a movingvehicle such as a car, train or boat. Also, this holder configurationenables the user to have grater freedom of movement and to carry moregoods.

FIGS. 3 and 6 illustrate a third configuration that the holder canadopt. In this configuration the carrier 100 is rotated through 90° fromthe orientation shown in FIG. 4 so that the first to fifth portions 3,5, 7, 9 and 12 all form side walls and the handle portion 1 a projectsoutwardly from the carrier. As shown in FIG. 6, in this holderconfiguration, the cup 200 is received within the carrier 100 so thatthe carrier forms an endless band or loop around the peripheral sidewalls 203 of the cup. In this configuration the holder enables the userto carry or transport the cup by grasping the handle 1 a, and enablesthe user to drink without touching the hot cup.

A user or consumer may use any one or more of the holder configurationshown in FIGS. 4 to 6. Thus, for example, a user may carry the hotbeverage from the place of purchase using the holder configuration shownin. FIG. 4 and then, to enable the beverage to be consumed, may releasethe coupling mechanism of the carrier 100, remove the cup 200, recouplethe end portions of the carrier 100 and then reposition the cup 200within the carrier 100 in either the holder configuration shown in FIG.5 or the holder configuration shown in FIG. 6. A user may change theholder configuration from that shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in FIG. 6or vice versa very easily without having to uncouple the end portions ofthe holder. Thus, a user may adopt the holder configuration shown inFIG. 6 while actually drinking from the cup 200 and may change theholder configuration to that shown in FIG. 5 when resting the cup on asurface such as a table desk or work top. It should also be-appreciatedthat, with the holder configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the hotbeverage may be poured into the cup 200 after the cup has been placed inthe carrier 100.

It will, of course, be appreciated that various modifications may bemade to the carrier 100. Thus, for example, the cup receiving region 8may be defined in different ways, different forms of coupling mechanismother than the handle portion 1 a and slit 13 or tab 16 and slit 17 maybe adopted and the location and/or number of the fold lines may beadjusted so as to accommodate cups having different aspect ratios.Indeed, the fold lines may be omitted so that the carrier forms acircular or elliptical rather than rectangular shape in cross sections.Also, the handle portion 1 a may be omitted, in which case a user wouldgrasp the top of the carrier in the holder configuration shown in FIG. 4and grasp the endless loop or band formed by the carrier in theconfiguration shown in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the side edges 2 and 15 are straightand parallel to one another. This reduces the amount of waste materialwhen a large number of blanks are cut from the same sheet and so shouldreduce the overall costs of the carrier 100. In addition, the curved endportion 14 may be shaped so as to further reduce the amount of wastematerial by, for example, making its shape the converse of the shape ofthe handle portion 1 a or by providing a straight edge portion.

FIGS. 7 to 29 illustrate various modifications of the carrier 100 shownin FIG. 1.

The carriers 100 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are identical to that shown inFIG. 1 except that the side edges 2 and 15 are no longer parallel. InFIG. 7, the blank tapers towards the end portion 14 while in FIG. 8 theblank tapers towards the end portion 1.

FIG. 9 shows a blank that is identical to that shown in FIG. 1 apartfrom the fact that, in this case, the cup receiving region 8 is definedby first and second parallel slits 8 d spaced apart in a directionperpendicular to the side edges 2 and 15 and a third transverse slit orweakened portion 8 e which can be broken when pushed by a user or by acup to define two flaps 8 f and 8 g which are pushed outwardly to definean aperture for receiving the cup.

FIG. 10 shows a further modification of the blank shown in FIG. 1. Thisblank differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in that the receptacle receivingregion 8 does not provide an aperture but provides four pairs of spacedapart slots 80 a and 80 b with end fold lines 80 c extending betweenadjacent edges of each pair of slots and an intermediate fold line 80 dextending between centre points of the slots which coincide with thefold line 6. In this example, when the carrier is made up the regionsdefined by the slots 80 a and 80 b are pushed inwards to defineright-angled strips that serve to retain the receptacle in place. Thisembodiment is intended primarily for receiving box-like receptacles suchas sandwich packets rather than cups and the slitted regions serve tolocate the receptacle securely on the base of the carrier 100 when theholder is in the configuration shown in FIG. 4. This carrier may also beused in the holder configuration shown in FIG. 6 to hold a cup ratherthan a box-like receptacle but would not generally be used to hold a cupin the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 11 shows another carrier which differs from that shown in FIG. 1 inthat the cup receiving region 8 consists of a single circular aperture81 and the fold lines are omitted so that, in this example, when the endportions 1 and 14 are coupled, the carrier forms an endless band ofcircular or elliptical cross sections.

FIG. 12 shows another modification of the carrier 100 shown in FIG. 1.In this modification the handle 1 a is omitted and the number of slitsin the area between the circular aperture 8 a and the circular fold line8 b is reduced. As mentioned above, the edge of the end portion 14 maybe straight rather than curved which would further reduce the amount ofwaste material which a plurality of blanks are cut from a single sheet.

The modified carrier shown in FIG. 13 is, like the carrier shown in FIG.10, intended to receive a box-like receptacle so that, in the holderconfiguration shown in FIG. 4, the box like receptacle is supported onthe base portion 7 rather than suspended therefrom. This carrier mayalso be useable to carry cups in the configuration shown in FIG. 6. Inaddition, the carrier shown in FIGS. 10 and 13 may also be useable tocarry cups in the configuration shown in FIG. 5 if the receptaclesupporting region 82 is bounded by a weakened portion or is otherwisefrangible so that an aperture can easily be formed to receive a cup. Itwill, of course, be appreciated that, once this is done, the carrier mayno longer be used to support a box-like receptacle on its base when inthe configuration shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 13 also shows a differentlyshaped handle portion 1 a.

FIG. 14 shows a modified carrier which differs from that shown in FIG. 1solely by virtue of the shape of the handle portion 1 a (the slits havebeen omitted in the cup receiving region 8 in the interest ofsimplicity).

FIG. 15 shows a carrier that differs from that shown in FIG. 11 in thatthe straight edges 2 and 15 are replaced by wavy edges while FIG. 16shows a carrier that differs from that shown in FIG. 1 (again the slits8 c in the cup receiving region 8 have been omitted in the interest ofsimplicity) by virtue of the fact that the fold lines 6 and 10 arecurved rather than straight.

FIG. 17 shows a carrier that differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in thatthe fold lines 4, 6, 10 and 11 are at an acute angle to the edges 2 and15 with the slit 13 being parallel to the fold lines. FIG. 18 shows afurther modification in which the fold lines 4 and 6 are no longerparallel to the fold lines 10, 11 and the slit 13 while FIG. 19 shows avariation in which the side edges 2 and 15 are not perpendicular to anedge 1′ of the end portion 1 a and FIG. 20 shows a variation in whichthe side edges 2 and 15 both bow outwardly. A further variation would befor these two edges to both bow inwardly, of course, These variationsenable different decorative or visual effects to be achieved withoutaffecting the overall function of the carrier.

FIG. 21 shows a blank for a carrier which differs from that shown inFIG. 1 in that each of the end portions 1 and 14 has a handle portion 1a and 14 a and no separate coupling means is provided. With this blank,a user brings the two handle portions 1 a and 14 a together and thecarrier 100 is formed into an endless loop by virtue of the usergripping and holding together the two handle portions 1 a and 1 b. Thisfacilitates rapid returning of the carrier to its flat form andinterchange between the configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Althoughthere is no fastening mechanism between the handle portions la and 14 ain this blank, it may still be possible to adopt the holderconfiguration shown in FIG. 5 because the weight of the cup orreceptacle 200 pressing the handle portions down onto the supportingsurface will hold the end portions 1 and 14 of the carrier together. Afastening mechanism may be provided by, instead of cutting out theD-shape portion 14 d, defining an arcuate cut line 14 e and a fold line14 f forming a D shaped flap 14 d which can be received through thecut-out 1 b of the other handle portion 1 a and pivoted about the foldline 14 f to hold the two handle portions together.

FIG. 22 shows a blank for a carrier which differs from that shown inFIG. 1 (again the slits 8 c are omitted from the cup receiving region 8for simplicity) by the provision of side regions 9 b projectingtransversely from the fourth portion 9 and each having an end flap 9 a.With this blank, when the carrier is in the configuration shown in FIG.4 or 5, the side portions 9 b may be bent to 90° relative to the portion9 and the end flaps 9 a tucked inside the end portion 5 so as to defineside walls for the carrier which may reduce the possibility of anyaccidental spillage from the cup 200 soiling the clothes of the user inthe configuration shown in FIG. 4 and may, in both the configurationshown in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5, assist in retaining heat in thereceptacle 200. This carrier may also be used in the configuration shownin FIG. 6 by folding the side portions with their end flaps to theinside of the carrier.

FIG. 23 shows a variation of the blank shown in FIG. 22 in which fourflaps 9 a to 9 d are provided each formed with a slit 9 e. When thisblank is made up into the carrier, the flaps 9 a and 9 c and the flaps 9b and 9 d are folded towards one another and one slit is received byanother to define side walls.

FIG. 24 shows a blank for a carrier that is identical (the slits 8 c inthe cup receiving region 8 are omitted in the interest of simplicity) tothat shown in FIG. 1 except that the relative dimensions of the portions3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 have been adjusted to enable accommodation ofreceptacles of different aspect ratio. This would provide the carrierwith relatively high side walls in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 sothat the cup 200 may stand proud of the base.

FIG. 25 shows a blank for a carrier which is identical to that shown inFIG. 1 (the slits 8 c in the cup receiving region 8 are omitted in theinterest of simplicity) except that the handle portion 1 a has a mirrorimage handle portion 1 b connected to a reinforcing portion 19. Themirror image handle portion 1b is connected to the handle portion 1 a bya fold line or weakened portion 18 enabling the mirror image handleportion 1 b to be folded back down on top of or beneath the handleportion 1 a so as to reinforce the handle portion.

FIG. 26 shows a blank for a carrier that differs from the blank shown inFIG. 1 (again the slits in the cup receiving region 8 are omitted in theinterest of simplicity) in that the slit 13 through which the handleportion 1 a passes is supplemented by tabs 20 provided on either side ofthe slit 13 and arranged to fold over the end portion 1 on either sideof the handle portion 1 a when the end portions 1 and 14 are coupledtogether. These tab portions 20 serve to increase the robustness of thecoupling mechanism.

FIG. 27 shows a further variant which, like the variant shown in FIG.25, has a mirror image handle portion 1 b (in this drawing fold linesare shown as dashed). In this embodiment, the handle portion 1 b isprovided with a tab 1 c, which, when the handle portion 1 b is foldedback on the handle portion 1 a is wrapped around the handle portion 1 ato hold the two together. In addition, the score or cut lines used todefine the slit 13 a also define small tabs 20 a on either side of theslit 13 a which function in the same manner as the tabs 20 shown in FIG.26. FIG. 27 also shows a different way of forming the tab 16 a bydefining a curve, generally semi-circular cut in the blank. Also, inthis embodiment, a number of the flap portions 8′c defined by the slits8 c are removed so as to reduce the resistance to insertion of a cupinto the aperture 8 a. Also, the end portion 14 is shown as generallystraight so as to reduce wastage of the material when a number of blanksare cut from the same sheet.

FIG. 28 shows a further variant in which fold lines are shown as dottedlines and cut through lines are shown as solid lines. This variantdiffers from that shown in FIG. 1 in that: the handle portion does notproject from an end portion of the blank but is formed as a cut out 1 a′within the body of the portion 9; the cup receiving region is defined bya circular fold line 8 h and a number of arcuate and straight cutthrough lines 8 i to define, again, a number of flaps 8 j that arepressed outwardly by insertion of the cup to define an aperture; and theslit and tab coupling arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is replaced by a slot17 a and tabs 16 a and 16 b.

In this embodiment, when the end portions are coupled together, the tabs16 a and 16 b are folded round respective edges of the portion 1 c ofthe end portion 1 between the edge of the end portion and the slot 17 a.When a cup is received in the cup receiving region the flaps 8 j extendover a greater portion of the cup side wall than in the carrier shown inFIG. 1 and help to return heat in the cup.

FIG. 29 shows a variant of the blank shown in FIG. 28 in which the flaps8 j of the cup receiving region 8 have been shortened by defining aninner circular aperture and in which the handle portion is provided byboth a cut-out handle portion 1 a and a projecting handle portion 12 awhich, when the carrier is made up, can be grasped together by the userto provide a stronger handle.

It will be appreciated that many different combinations of themodifications shown in FIGS. 7 to 29 may be applied to the carrier shownin FIG. 1. In addition, the carrier need not have a releasable couplingmeans. Rather, the first and second end portions have self-adhesiveregions or may be permanently fixed together to define the endless loopor band. This would allow the carrier to be used interchangeably in theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and in the configuration describedabove where a box like receptacle is rested on the base of the carrierin the configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 4. However, if areleasable coupling mechanism is not provided, then, if the carrier iscoupled into the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the carrier will need tobe destroyed to remove a cup. This provides a tamper-proof feature forretail outlets.

Each of the carriers described above is designed to carry a single cupor receptacle. FIGS. 30 to 35 show carriers capable of carrying multiplecups or receptacles. These carriers are designed to be able to adopt theconfiguration shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 but not the configuration shownin FIG. 6.

The carriers shown in FIGS. 30 to 32 are based on the carrier shown inFIG. 1 with the exception, that in each case, the coupling mechanismcomprising the tab 16 and 17 is doubled up so that each carrier has twotabs and two slits and in the case of FIGS. 30 and 31 the width of thecarrier is increased so as to accommodate two and three, respectively,cup receiving regions 8 and in the case of the carrier shown in FIG. 32,both dimensions of the portion 7 are increased so as to accommodate fourcup receiving portions.

The multiple cup or receptacle carriers shown in FIGS. 33 to.35 arebased on the carrier shown in FIG. 25. In the case of the carrier shownin FIG. 33, again the tab and slot arrangements 16 and 17 is doubled upand the width of the carrier is increased to accommodate three cupreceiving regions 8. In the case of the carriers shown in FIGS. 34 and35, the dimensions of the portion 7 of the carrier are increased toaccommodate 3 and 4 respectively, cup receiving areas.

FIG. 36 shows a variant of the blank shown in FIG. 23. The rectangularflaps are replaced by generally elliptical flaps 9 a to 9 d inset intothe body of the blank and having inner edges defined by fold lines 90.When this carrier is made up, the curved fold lines 90 cause the sidewalls or flaps 9 a to 9 d to bow inwardly. Again, these flaps, serve toretain heat. This modification can be applied to any of the carriersdescribed above.

In the above described embodiments, the carrier may be provided with anintegral handle. As another possibility, the carrier may be providedwith apertures for receiving a carrying cord.

In the majority of the embodiments described above, the cup orreceptacle receiving region provides an aperture through which at leastpart of the cup may be passed. The aperture may be present in thecarrier or may be defined by a frangible portion which is removed bypressure from, a user or by pressing the cup on to the blank or analready-formed carrier. As another possibility, the cup or receptaclereceiving area need not necessarily define an aperture but may define adepression into which the cup or receptacle is seated. In this case, ifthe holder configuration shown in FIG. 4 is to be adopted, then the sidewalls defined by the portions 9 and 5 of the blank should havesufficient height to accommodate the cup once received in thedepression.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cup carrier formed froma blank into an endless band or loop which, in use, bounds or defines anaperture which receives the cup so that the band or loop surrounds andgrips the cup and which also has an integrally provided handle forenabling a user to carry the cup.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cup carrier formed froma blank into an endless loop having an integral handle, with a portionof the carrier defining a cup receiving region in which, in use, the cupsits beneath the handle.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cup carrier formed froma blank into an endless loop defining a cup receiving region forsupporting a cup in an upright position on a surface.

Although a carrier embodying the present invention is intended primarilyfor enabling a user to carry or transport disposable cups or receptaclescontaining a hot beverage, the carrier may also be used with disposableor non-disposable cups or other receptacles for containing coldbeverages, take away food packets or containers (for sandwiches, pasta,salad etc) snacks and other consumer products including, for example,gardening items such as bulbs or the like to be planted.

In any of the above described examples, the receptacle or cup receivingregion will be shaped and sized to receive a particular cup orreceptacle and need not necessarily be circular but could berectangular, for example. Where a carrier provides more than onereceptacle or cup receiving region then these may have different sizesand/or shapes enabling for example both a beverage cup and a take awayfood packet or container to be carried.

1.-41. (canceled)
 42. A carrier for enabling a purchaser to support orcarry a receptacle containing purchased goods, the carrier being formedfrom a carrier blank as an endless loop with a portion of the wall ofthe loop being formed with an aperture, aperture defining region ordepression to provide a receptacle receiving region, the carrier beingdeformable to provide at least two of: a first configuration in whichthe receptacle is receivable by the receptacle receiving region so thata base of the receptacle is supported on a surface region of the endlessloop opposed to the receptacle receiving region, thereby enabling thereceptacle to be supported in an upright condition; a secondconfiguration in which the receptacle is receivable by the receptaclereceiving region and the surface region provides a handle for enablingthe purchaser to carry the carrier so that the receptacle is suspendedbelow the handle; and a third configuration in which the receptacle isreceivable within the endless loop so that the wall of the endless loopforms a band around the receptacle and provides a handle so that thereceptacle can be carried by the purchaser grasping the handle.
 43. Acarrier according to claim 42, configurable in the third configuration.44. A carrier according to claim 42, configurable in at least the secondand third configurations.
 45. A carrier according to claim 42,configurable in the first configuration, wherein the receptaclereceiving region provides an aperture defining region for providing anaperture through which part of the receptacle can extend in the firstconfiguration so that the base of the receptacle is supported by thesurface region opposed to the receptacle receiving region.
 46. A carrieraccording to according to claim 42, configurable in the secondconfiguration, wherein the receptacle receiving region provides anaperture defining region for providing an aperture through which part ofthe receptacle can extend in the second configuration so that thereceptacle is suspended from the carrier in the second configuration.47. A carrier according to claim 42, configurable in at least the firstand second configurations, wherein the carrier receptacle receivingregion provides an aperture defining region for providing an aperturethrough which part of the receptacle can extend so that the base of thereceptacle is supported by the surface region opposed to the receptaclereceiving region in the first configuration and through which part ofthe receptacle can extend in the second configuration so that thereceptacle is suspended from the carrier.
 48. A carrier according toclaim 45, wherein the aperture defining region comprises a frangibleportion.
 49. A carrier according to claim 45, wherein the aperturedefining region comprises an aperture pre-formed in the carrier blank.50. A carrier according to claim 45, wherein the aperture definingregion comprises a plurality of slits or slots.
 51. A carrier accordingto claim 45, wherein the aperture defining region comprises an aperturebounded by a slitted periphery.
 52. A carrier according to claim 42,wherein the receiving region comprises a depression.
 53. A carrieraccording to claim 42, wherein the carrier has a plurality of receptaclereceiving regions each adapted to receive a receptacle.
 54. A carrieraccording to claim 42, wherein first and second ends of the carrierblank forming the carrier have respective coupling portions which arecoupled together to provide the endless loop.
 55. A carrier according toclaim 54, wherein at least one of the coupling portions also providesthe handle.
 56. A carrier according to claim 54, wherein one of thecoupling portions comprises a slot and the other comprises a tab orprojection which extends through the slot to form the endless loop. 57.A carrier according to claim 54, wherein each coupling portion comprisesa slot and a projection or tab with the slot and projection or tab ofone coupling portion cooperating with the projection or tab and slot,respectively, of the other coupling portion to form the endless loop.58. A carrier according to claim 54, wherein the coupling portionscomprise end portions of the carrier blank that are adhered together toform the endless loop.
 59. A carrier according to claim 54, wherein thecoupling portions comprise at least one selected from a group consistingof: cooperating tabs or projections, cooperating projections and slits,cooperating handle portions and a slit and a cooperating handle portion.60. A carrier according to claim 54, wherein the coupling portionscomprise handle portions holdable together by the purchaser to definethe endless loop and the handle.
 61. A carrier according to claim 42,wherein the surface region provides the handle as an integral handle.62. A carrier according to claim 61, wherein the handle is provided by acut out formed in the endless loop.
 63. A carrier according to claim 42,wherein the carrier blank has fold lines that facilitate deformation ofthe carrier to enable adoption of said at least two of said first tothird configurations.
 64. A carrier according to claim 42, wherein thecarrier blank has fold lines that define separate wall portions of thecarrier and that facilitate deformation of the carrier to enableadoption of said at least two of said first to third configurations. 65.A carrier according to claim 42, further comprising projecting sideportions for closing open sides of the carrier during use.
 66. A carrieraccording to claim 42, wherein the carrier is formed from at least oneof a group consisting of: paper, card, cardboard, a plastics material,corrugated paper, plastics, cardboard, rubber, reinforced cloth, andleather.
 67. A holder comprising a carrier in accordance with claim 42,and a receptacle adapted for operable engagement with the carrier.
 68. Aholder according to claim 67, wherein the receptacle is a beverage cup.69. A holder according to claim 67, wherein the receptacle is a foodcontainer.
 70. A holder according to claim 67, wherein the receptacle isdisposable.
 71. A blank adapted to form a carrier according to claim 42,wherein the blank has opposed end portions and an intermediate portion,the intermediate portion having an aperture, aperture defining region ordepression to provide a receptacle receiving region, wherein the blankis provided with an integral handle portion that projects from one endportion and is arranged to be received by a slit, provided by the otherend portion so as to couple the end portions of the blank together toform an endless loop in use.
 72. A blank according to claim 71, whereinthere are two handle portions and one of the handle portions defines asecuring element receivable through an aperture in the other handleportion.
 73. A blank according to claim 71, wherein the receptaclereceiving region comprises at least one of the slots, cut outs and foldlines for defining a depression for receiving a receptacle in use.
 74. Ablank according to claim 71, wherein the receptacle receiving region isan aperture defining region.
 75. A blank according to claim 74, whereinthe aperture defining region comprises at least one of a frangiblesection, slit and an aperture.
 76. A blank according to claim 71,wherein the blank has a plurality of receptacle receiving regions eacharranged to receive a receptacle.
 77. A blank according to claim 71,having fold lines that facilitate deformation of a carrier formed fromthe blank.
 78. A blank according to claim 71, having fold lines thatdefine a plurality of portions each providing a respective differentwall region of the carrier in use and that facilitate deformation of acarrier formed from the blank.
 79. A blank according to claim 71,further comprising projecting side portions, for closing open sides ofthe carrier during use.
 80. A blank according to claim 71, wherein theblank is formed from at least one of a group consisting of: paper, card,cardboard, a plastics material, corrugated card, plastics or cardboardor paper, rubber, reinforced cloth and leather.
 81. A vendable goodsholder, comprising: a receptacle for receiving goods and a carrier forenabling a purchaser of the goods to carry or support the receptacle,the holder being configurable in at least two of: a first configurationin which a portion of the carrier supports a base of the receptacle; asecond configuration in which the receptacle is suspended beneath partof the carrier; and a third configuration in which the carrier providesa band around the receptacle.